What do you think Angel of the Morning means?

Merrilee Rush: Angel of the Morning Meaning

Album cover for Angel of the Morning album cover

Song Released: 1968


Covered By: Pretenders, The (1995), Juice Newton (1981), Melba Montgomery (1977), Connie Eaton (1970), Nina Simone


Angel of the Morning Lyrics

There'll be no strings to bind your hands
not if my love can't bind your heart.
And there's no need to take a stand
for it was I who chose to start.
I see no need to take me home,
I'm old enough to face the dawn.

Just call me angel of the...

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  1. 1TOP RATED

    #1 top rated interpretation:
    anonymous
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     Mar 28th 2012 !⃝

    This song was ahead of its time, as it was perhaps the first song to deal with the phenomenon that young people on college campuses now call the "Walk Of Shame." It articulates the feelings of emptiness, loneliness, and mild embarrassment that can overwhelm one's soul the day after a one-night stand, when it "dawns" on you that the temporary feelings of closeness and affection were merely a transitory illusion.

  2. Msteff78
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     Aug 4th 2023 !⃝

    There's no hidden meaning from a literal standpoint. I've heard people say it's about a prostitute, or the man is married...I have no idea how they reached those ideas, maybe it's a "Freud" thing.
    The song was written in 1967 by Chip Taylor in a span of 20 minutes. (Chip Taylor also wrote "Wild Thing") If you can imagine a man singing the song, it takes on a whole different perspective. Clearly the singer is pining for the affection of someone they just made love to, but that person lacks the emotional attachment. I'm sure many of us can relate to that scenario.

  3. anonymous
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     Jul 8th 2020 !⃝

    Popular in 1969 - very popular on US Armed Forces Radio overseas. Maybe because so many were separated from wife or girl friend. The locals loved it as well and played continually on local radio stations (as well as "Honey" and "Blue on Blue") brings back memories of 50 years ago in a different world.

  4. anonymous
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     Apr 24th 2020 !⃝

    Hauntingly sentimental melody. A young girl, a virgin, is giving a man consent to take her virginity. While she knows what she wants, she's unsure if the man is sincere in his intentions, but she justifies it in raw vulnerable terms. I think the line "of the years" is a throwaway bc "the pain" by itself was way too graphic for 60s radio. "And the fears" would be a good replacement (alluding to a potential pregnancy perhaps). One of the most beautiful and honest songs ever.

  5. anonymous
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     Sep 25th 2019 !⃝

    The lady is the seducer here. It takes place at a location other than his or her place. She takes responsibility for all and she will face the consequences, if their fling is discovered by her or his people.
    She is telling him all the reasons it is ok to have this affair. She tells him she will go on her own and she asks him to leave on his own. She will not beg him to stay, just softly touch her cheek to show that he agrees and all is ok. No one has to stay with anyone. Her desires were satisfied.

  6. anonymous
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     Aug 9th 2019 !⃝

    It is about death.

  7. anonymous
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     Mar 20th 2018 !⃝

    I feel a deeper meaning hiding behind the sex.
    Something I can't quite grasp, a having and not having.
    A having had and never having had and never going to have.
    Not needing to have not having had.
    Wanting, not wanting.
    Turning away, while still turning to.

  8. anonymous
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     Mar 18th 2018 !⃝

    I’m certain this song is about an affair a young girl had with a married man. She’s saying to him she’s aware there’s no future for them but wants just one night. He can walk away in the morning by touching her cheek so she knows it meant something to him.
    Unfortunately an obsession like that has happened to some of us at one time or another.
    BEEN THERE DONE THAT

  9. anonymous
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     Oct 11th 2012 !⃝

    I think this is a song about pre-marital sex, possibly with an already married man. I also think that the relationship goes way beyond a one-night, but she'll take what she can get, because she's terribly in love with the man.

  10. anonymous
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     May 12th 2011 !⃝

    I think she wants to be with him even though she won't beg him to stay. Part of her wishes it wasn't just a one night stand, but she's lonely and just wants to be held. She doesn't want it to be meaningless and having him touch her cheek before he leaves gives the night more meaning.

  11. anonymous
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     Apr 17th 2011 !⃝

    The song is about a one night stand and in the morning the woman does not want to be just another notch on the guys belt.

  12. anonymous
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     Feb 9th 2011 !⃝

    The young lady singing it has a one-night stand with a young man at his home. After a night of sex, she still wants to be thought of as an angel by the young man even though the sex is what she really wanted. In the morning she just wants to leave his home quietly and alone.


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